SLHayes Designs

Silver Clay Is Really Cool...Just Be Gentle With It

2008-12-18T01:48:00.003-05:00

I have recently forayed into Silver Clay, and I love it. So many designs that I thought impossible to me are now looming on the horizon. I've developed a whole collection built around this material, and I really think you're going to like it. Look for it in January, right before Valentine's Day. It's going to be huge.

Plan Your Work, And Work Your Plan

2008-08-04T09:09:00.002-05:00

With any project it is crucial to have a sense of direction. It's very important to have a plan of where you are going with anything you do. Not only will it keep you on task and on time, but also on budget.

It is necessary to look for the best values while getting the concept together; that way a realistic figure can be quoted even when working with several designs. Keep in mind that searching for just the right materials can be time consuming but well worth the time. It is always so very rewarding for me to be able to design a piece of jewelry that is stylish, and reasonably priced.

Typically I will give an estimate for the time needed to complete the piece and several payment options. Its nice to lay these things out for a client, so they know what to expect and when.

I generally start with the sketches, then price the concepts, present the proposals, make any changes, rework the quote, order the materials, and start the work. I start with the plan and hold to it, otherwise I'm letting myself and the client down, and that is not good for business. Keep the client in the know and things should go very smoothly.

I'm Back!

2008-07-29T14:07:00.002-05:00

I haven't necessarily been away from designing. I've actually been doing quite a bit of that. Posting on the other hand, not so much. The website www.slhayesdesigns.com has been doing well, and thus the lack in communication here. However an end to that is near. It has dawned on me recently that the viral networking opportunities present through cross-posting are limitless. So it would behoove me to post as much here as on the website. Sneak peeks, previews, exclusive options for blog readers. It just makes sense to make use of this wonderful resource. So that's what I'm going to be doing.

Enjoy!

Joy Connecting

2007-06-25T22:15:00.000-05:00

Well it's been a while, but here I am back with some fresh new designs. The season got off slow, but I am happy with what I am presenting here. I think that is what is most important, being proud of the work, that you are putting forth, emphasizing the time you took and the quality that was produced. Here is summer part one. Enjoy.

SLHayes in VIP Gift Bags

2007-04-30T16:40:00.000-05:00

These are the earrings that I created for the Recording Academy Honors. There are three pair available for purchase on my website SLHayes Designs

New Collection Coming Soon

2006-11-17T14:24:00.000-05:00

The Holidays are a great time to go outside the box. Speaking of which, my two older daughters are actually co-designers on the polymer clay butterfly pieces that will be released.

I've got new pieces for the upcoming season, and I am so excited about finally showing them off.

This time go round my focus is really on the little girl in your life. I have three of them and they are each little princesses. All little girls are beautiful and they want to wear beautiful jewelry and accessories. SLHayes Designs has a wonderful selection of pieces that will make any little girl feel like the princess she was born to be.

Butterflies, to me exude femininity, and little girls love them, so they will be prevalent throughout most of the designs. This collection will be dominated by Swarovski crystals and Sterling Silver; it is sure to be a treat for young and old alike.

Make sure to come back next week for the launch. It will be a great time to do a little shopping for the holidays, right from the comfort of your own home.

Starting Out- What You Need

2006-11-06T12:40:00.000-05:00

It's amazing, you start out making jewelry as a hobby and then people say "that is beautiful you should sell your work". Why do we automatically think we need to go out there and buy more, and often times, more expensive tools? It's not absolutely necessary, and I wouldn't advise it, unless you were thinking about changing the direction of the type of work you were going to be doing and you needed more tools specific to that line of work.
The three tools that I would definitely suggest you start with, are really very basic. They are the round nose plier, the flat nose plier and flush cutters. The round nose pliers can be used to make spirals, decorative endings and loops. The flat nose pliers used for tightening, straightening angles. And obviously the flush cutters for making "flush cuts".
As time goes on you can add more tools to your repetoire. Down the road, crimping pliers are a great addition. These are the basic tools you need to get started and they should carry you well into your jewelry making career.

Check Out These Red and Gold Pieces

2006-07-31T20:19:00.000-05:00

The following are all commission pieces. I was given the task of making jewelry for a clients employees, and they were to be in the red and gold family. I took some creative liberties of course, since Jasper isn't quite red, but the client was pleased with the colors and the designs, as was I :)

There are actually about six more pieces in this collection, I'll post them in the near future.

This is piece is called Jasper Delta. Delta because of the triangular focal point, which is hanformed from gold-filled wire. The beads are a combination of smooth round jasper and gold filigree.

Chunky was the only name I could think of. This is just a beautiful bunch of chunky coral pieces. I love it.

The Lariat is so free, I thought it would be great with a tunic or a nice silk blouse. It is also made from rea coral.

Fire and Ice 2 is made from Red Czech pressed glass and clear swarovski bicones. I love this piece. It's number two because I did another piece with Garnet and Quartz that I called Fire and Ice also.

Serenity

2006-07-28T15:28:00.000-05:00

HOw do you relax? Do you take a bubble bath, light a few candles, bathe with decadent soaps, slather your skin with a luxurious lotion, or buy a pretty bauble or three. Well you can pick up everything you need to indulge yourself in one place.

Our work can now be seen at Serenity by Jennifer in Historic Stone Mountain Village. It's a lovely shop where you can find all types of wonderful accessories for your home or gifts for the special people you know. It's an honor to be in Serenity and we look forward to a long relationship with them.

About Serenity

Serenity is a mother/daughter creation. We began with candle parties, festivals and an online store in 2002. Our store location opened in October 2004 in the Historic Stone Mountain Village. We offer bath & body products, candles, home accessories and much more! So, whether you’re looking for a gift for a birthday, baby shower or just a romantic evening for two, Serenity offers gifts for the home, body & soul!

Visit Serenity at www.serenitycandlesandsoaps.com

Teaser

2006-07-27T21:53:00.000-05:00

Yeah! I've added my first picture to my blog, took me a minute to figure out how to do it, but I did. Now my work can be seen before you check out my site. I just need to work on getting my photographs just so. I found some great tips for jewelry photography over at www.aajewelry.blogspot.com

This lovely 18" necklace is made up of 10mm Calcite dice and 4mm smooth Riverstone beads. The toggle clasp is made of gold-filled wire.

Lovely 16 1/2" two strand necklace composed of Amazonite chips and nuggets with 12-14 mm potatoe shaped cultured freshwater pearls and white seashells.

This was probably my favorite piece from my spring-summer collection this year. I really enjoyed how it made me feel. I called it Walk on the Beach because the components and the colors reminded me of the water in the Gulf of Mexico. It was like being in Cancun, Mexico or Destin, Fl.

It's not too late, but I'm going to have to save the rest of this work for tomorrow. This is just a teaser so come back for more or go check out the website and go in the Boutique.

Starting Over

2006-07-25T00:02:00.000-05:00

Hello

I started this particular blog site to generate interest in my newly started Jewelry Business, however, shamefully I have not used it; not at all. Well those days are over. I will now be using the resource that I have literally "at hand" to help me propel my jewelry business to heights until now only dreamt of.

Over the next two and a half months, I will be getting my business and marketing plans together, looking for a more permanent web address and trying to figure out how I'm going to make my dreams a reality on a shoestring budget, with to date - no private investors. I know it can be done, I believe it can be done. My work is very good and I am confident that once I learn how to direct traffic to my site, it is going to be phenomenal.

Starting over may sound strange as a title for a first entry, but as I said previously, I haven't exactly been using this resource. I have had an online shop thought and been attending events as a vendor, however, I want something more. So by starting over, I am going to develop the structure that I need to succeed. I'm going to do it right this time, and not go flying by the seat of my pants. That is where the business and marketing plans come in.

Even in the roughshod stages I had some direction. I have a list of goals which will be modified, but here is what I have right now:
1. To have my jewelry in four (4) boutiques
2. To have booked and serviced 12 parties
3. To vend at at least 6 events
4. To have sales of $1000 per month or more from the about avenues
5. To enter one (1) contest
6. To submit one (1) piece of jewelry for publication in a trade magazine.
7. To have one (1) part time assistant

I still want to accomplish those goals, but I want the right structure behind it so I will have continued growth and success in the years to come.
It would be greatly appreciated if any of you out there with experience in the fields I need help in could lend some assistance. And please by all means, readers keep me on my toes, now that I have put this out in the atmosphere, I must be held accountable.

I welcome all feedback, and please visit the current site.
http://slhayesdesigns.zoomshare.com